BRICK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION 101 HENDRICKSON AVENUE

BRICK, NEW JERSEY 08724-2599

OFFICE OF THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TELEPHONE (732) 785-3000
THOMAS GIALANELLA E XT. 1019

April 19, 2017

Dear Veterans Memorial Elementary School Community,

Our school system is committed to protecting student, teacher, and staff health. To protect our community
and be in compliance with the Department of Education regulations, Brick Township Schools tested our
schools drinking water for lead.

In accordance with the Department of Education regulations, Brick Schools will implement immediate
remedial measures for any drinking water outlet with a result greater than the action level of 15 g/l (parts
per billion [ppb]). This includes turning off the outlet unless it is determined the location must remain on
for non-drinking purposes. In these cases, a DO NOT DRINK SAFE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY
sign will be posted.

Results of our Testing

Following instructions given in technical guidance developed by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, we completed a plumbing profile for each of the buildings within Brick
Township Schools Through this effort, we identified and tested all drinking water and food preparation
outlets initially in March and April 2017. Of the 38 outlets tested, all but 2 tested below the lead action
level established by the US Environmental Protection Agency for lead in drinking water (15 g/l [ppb]).

The table below identifies the drinking water outlets that tested above the 15 g/l for lead, the actual lead
level, and what temporary remedial action Brick Township Schools has taken to reduce the levels of lead at
these locations.

Sample Location First Draw Result in Remedial Action

g/l (ppb)
HF2-H07 20.95 Disconnected outlet/change bubbler
BF1-RLIB 26.88 Eliminate outlet

Health Effects of Lead

High levels of lead in drinking water can cause health problems. Lead is most dangerous for pregnant
women, infants, and children under 6 years of age. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can
interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Exposure to high
levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. In
young children, lead exposure can lower IQ levels, affect hearing, reduce attention span, and hurt school
performance. At very high levels, lead can even cause brain damage. Adults with kidney problems and high
blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults.

How Lead Enters our Water

Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like
groundwater, rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing
away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and in building plumbing. These
materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass, and chrome-plated brass faucets. In
1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead
content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials. However, even the lead in plumbing materials
meeting these new requirements is subject to corrosion. When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing
systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into the drinking water. This
means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning may contain fairly high levels of lead.

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning can significantly increase a
persons total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of children under the age of 6. EPA estimates that
drinking water can make up 20% or more of a persons total exposure to lead.

For More Information

A copy of the test results is available in our central office for inspection by the public, including students,
teachers, other school personnel, and parents, and can be viewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. and are also available on our website at
http://www.brickschools.org/Portals/0/Images/Headlines/Lead%20Testing%20Announcement%20Letter%
20District%20Wide%20Novemeber%202016.pdf. For more information about water quality in our
schools, contact Superintendent Thomas Gialanella at the Education Center, 732-785-3000 x 1019.

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home and the health effects of lead, visit
EPAs Web site at www.epa.gov/lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or
contact your health care provider.

If you are concerned about lead exposure at this facility or in your home, you may want to ask your health
care providers about testing children to determine levels of lead in their blood.

Sincerely,

Thomas Gialanella
Superintendent of Schools